Unit 12: World War II



VOCABULARY:
Chapter 37
  1. reciprocity: Refers to responding to a positive action with another positive action, rewarding kind actions.
  2. totalitarianism: Political system where state recognizes no limits to its authority and attempts to regulate every aspect of public and private life.
  3. isolatonism: Doctrine of isolating a country from the affairs of other nations.
  4. Good Neighbor Policy: Foreign policy of American administration towards Latin America, non interventions and non interference in the domestic affairs of Latin America.
  5. Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act: Gave the president power to negotiate bilateral, reciprocal trade agreements with other countries enabling the president to liberalize American trade policy globally.
  6. Nazi Party: Political Party of Germany during World War II
  7. Rome-Berlin Axis: Book analyzing the study of the Axis alliance of Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. Particularly the relationship between Mussolini and Hitler
  8. Nye Committee: American committee that investigated the financial and banking interests which underlay the American's involvement in World War I chaired by Gerald Nye.
  9. Neutrality Acts: American laws passed by congress in the 1930's in response to the pre-World War II turmoil in Europe and Asia.
  10. Hitler-Stalin Nonagression Pact: Germany and Soviet Union made a pact that neither would show aggression to the other.
  11. “cash & carry”: A system of trading whereby goods are paid for in full at the time of purchase and taken away by the purchaser.
  12. “Phony war”: Early phase in WWII that lacked major military operations by the Western Allies against the German Reich.
  13. America First Committee: Non-interventionist pressure group against the American entry into WWII.
  14. lend-lease: The transfer of goods and services to an ally to aid in a common cause
  15. Atlantic Charter: Pivotal policy statement issued in 1941 that defined the Allied goals for the post-war world.
  16. Nuremberg Trials: Series of military tribunals held by Allied forces for the prominent members of Nazi Germany held in Nuremberg, Germany
Chapter 38
  1. A.Philip Randolph: Asa Philip Randolph was a leader in the African American civil-rights movement and the American labor movement. He organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first predominantly Black labor union.
  2. Chester Nimitz: Fleet Admiral Chester William Nimitz, was a five-star admiral of the United States Navy. He was also the leading U.S. Navy authority on submarines, as well as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Navigation.
  3. George S. Patton: George Smith Patton, Jr., was an officer in the United States Army. He was best known for his leadership as a general in World War II, he also developed a reputation for his gruff outspokenness.
  4. Thomas E. Dewey: Thomas Edmund Dewey was the 47th Governor of New York. In 1944 and in 1948 he ran as the Republican candidate for President, but lost both times.
  5. Harry S. Truman: Harry was the 33rd President of the U.S. As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president, he succeeded to the Presidency when Roosevelt died at the beginning of his fourth term.
  6. War Production Board: WPA was established as a government agency in 1942 by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The purpose of the PWA was to regulate the production of materials and fuel during world War II in the U.S.
  7. Office of Price Administration: The OPA was established within the Office for Emergency Management of the United States government in 1941. The functions of the OPA were originally to control money and rents after the outbreak of World War II.
  8. Fair Employment Practice Commission: Roosevelt created the FEPC that stated," there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries or government because of race, creed, color, or national origin." THis was due in large part to the urging of A. Philip Randolph.
  9. Second Front: Refers to Stalin's wish for the Western Allies to open another front in Europe in 1942. Wishing it would be against the Germans, to take pressure off the Russians on the Eastern Front. In other words, an invasion of France.
  10. D-Day: June 6th, 1944, 160,000 troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy. The fight cost more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed.
  11. V-E Day: Victory in Europe!
  12. Potsdam Conference: Conference held in Potsdam, Germany(near Berlin) in 1945. The participants were the victorious allies of World War II, who had gathered to discuss how they would administer Germany[who had unconditionally surrendered 9 weeks before].



People and Their Significance
Chapter 37:
  1. Adolf Hitler: German Nazi dictator during WWII
    1. Beginning in 1933 and until the end of his life in April 1945, Adolf Hitler was Chancellor and Fuhrer of Germany during what he termed the "Third Reich." He ruled the most powerful of the "Axis" nations. As Italy as his primary European ally, he fought against almost every other European nation, as well as the Soviet Union and the United States. At the peak of German power, his armed forces had conquered practically all of mainland Europe, parts of North Africa, and the Soviet Union as far east as Moscow.

  2. Cordell Hull: American diplomat who did the groundwork for creating the United Nations
    1. After serving 11 terms in the United States House of Representatives and authored the federal income tax laws he was named Secretary of State in 1933. After 11 years in office, he retired to become the underlying architect in creating the United Nations.
  3. Benito Mussolini: Italian Fascist leader who lead National Fascist Party
    1. Mussolini promised to fight alongside Adolf Hitler in any war against the democracies of the world. His armies were defeated quickly by Allied forces. Italian resistance to his dictatorship ultimately led to his fall from power and to his death. In April 1945, the ex-dictator was murdered and mutilated.
  4. Francisco Franco: Spanish general whose armies took control of Spain and ruled as a dictator until he died.
    1. Because no one else would help his cause, he turned to Nazi support. The Germans provdied men and weapons to Spain. While he did receive German aid, he kept his country neutral after a long civil war.
  5. Winston Churchill: British statesman and leader during WWII
    1. After the British collapse of the appeasement policy of Chamberlain, Churchill was elected prime minister. He became known as "the British Lion" because of his success as a wartime leader. His high spirits lifted the morale of the British people. To further bolster his country he established a strong alliance with The United States.
Chapter 38:
  1. Joseph Stalin: Russian leader who succeeded Lenin and head of the Communist Party
    1. Communist ruler of Russia. Forced rapid industrialization for agriculture. Ended up killing millions of Russians in the process of turning Russia into an industrial power house. Under Stalin's rule the Soviet Union went on to achieve recognition as one of the just two superpowers in the post-war era.
  2. Dwight D. Eisenhower: 34th President of the U.S. He had previously been a five-star ranked general in the United States Army.
    1. Was the Allies Commander for Europe during World War II, and later became the 33rd President of the United States.
  3. Albert Einstein: German theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. Often referred to as the Father of Modern Physics.
    1. He was behind the theory of relativity, mass energy equivalence, photoelectric effect. And that would be the basis to the A-Bomb that he urged President Roosevelt in starting the Manhattan Project.



Primary Sources with APPARTS
1.
external image 8am202.jpg
A uthor: Dr. Seuss
P lace/Time: New York,1942
P rior knowledge: The income tax was important to pay because it supported the troops. The banks used propaganda to make it seem like if one did not pay the tax, they were helping the enemy.
A udience: American Citizens
R eason: To show how the rich evaded the income tax. Only the lower classes had to pay.
T he Main Idea: Even in times of war when every citizen should be united and brotherly, there is still the distinction between upper class and lower class.
S ignificance: The government however fair it claims to be is not, it is corrupt and takes advantage of those who don’t know better.

2.
external image bridge-the-gulch.jpg
A uthor: Unknown
P lace/Time: 1945
P rior knowledge The Soviets had pulled out of the war but were building up their country to be bigger,better and stronger.
A udience: American citizens
R eason: To show that the United States and the USSR were getting ready to face off and that times were tense between the two.
T he Main Idea: America may have defeated Germany and Japan, but the Soviet Union was waiting in the background getting ready to make their move.
S ignificance: America had many threats during the 1940’s from other world-wide super countries. Because American ideals were radically different than those of the European world, the two sides were in opposition for the century.
3.
1.jpeg
A uthor: Necessary Evil- plane
P lace/time: Hiroshima 9-6-45
P rior knowledge: The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor which pulled America into the war. To finally end the fighting, The United states chose to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A udience: The whole world
R eason: To show the massive destruction the bomb was capable of.
T he main idea: America decided to just go totally brute force and use any means necessary to get the victory.
S ignificance: By dropping the bomb, America solidified it's position as the worlds' superpower. No other country had technology capable of these extremes.

4.
"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "Come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."
Winston Churchill - May 13, 1940
A uthor: Winston Churchill
P lace/time: England, May 13, 1940
P rior knowledge: Churchill was the prime minister and backbone of the UK during World War II.
A udience: British citizens
R eason: The British people were afraid of what was coming with the invading Nazis and other enemies. Churchill gave this speech to reassure his people that he knew what to do.

T he main idea: Churchill established his position as head of wartime England. He knew what to do and motivated the citizens to follow through with his decisions.
S ignificance: Even through disastrous times and faced with difficult decisions, Churchill dealt with them in the best way he could, given the situation. Britain would not give up as easily as Germany had anticipated.

5.
[Navy Department to Pacific Commanders, November 24,1941]
Chances of favorable outcome of negotiations with Japan very doubtful. This situation, coupled with
statements of Japanese Government and movements their naval and military forces, indicates in our opinion
that a surprise aggressive movement in any direction, indicating attack on Philippines or Guam, is a possibility
Chief of Staff has seen this dispatch; concurs and requests action [by the respective addresses] to inform senior
Army officers their areas. Utmost secrecy necessary in order not to complicate an already tense situation or
precipitate Japanese action.

[Navy Department to Asiatic and Pacific Fleets, November 27, 1941]

This dispatch is to be considered a war warning. Negotiations with Japan looking toward stabilization of
conditions in the Pacific have ceased, and an aggressive move by Japan is expected within the next few days.
The number and equipment of Japanese troops, and the organization of naval task forces, indicates an amphibious expedition against either the Philippines, Thai [Siam] or Kra [Malay] peninsula. or possibly Borneo [Dutch East Indies]: . . .
Pear l Harbor Attack: Hearings Before the Joint Committee on the Investigation of the Pearl Harbor Attack. 79th Congress/ 1st sess.(1946), pt XIV,pp,1405,1406

A uthor: Unknown
P lace/time: USA, 1941
P rior knowledge: Japanese kamikaze planes bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7,1941. There are rumors that the United States knew of such plans but decided to do nothing about it to use the bombing as an excuse to go to war.
A udience: The United States citizens
R eason: To show the telegrams sent to the Pacific regarding the possible attack
T he Main Idea: American officials definitely knew about Japan's plans to attack. This raises uncertainty in the validity of the America's motives on the war with Japan.
S ignificance: The possibility that the United States knowingly let Japan attack without preparing the soldiers leads to controversial topics of American values. The government was willing to let people die just so the could join a war they declared themselves neutral in.

6.
[President F.D.Roosevelt, December 8th, 1941]
"Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy- The United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan...As Commander-in- Chief of the Amry and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense...With confidence in our armed forces-with the unbounded determination of our people- we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God."
A: President F.D.R.
P: House Chamber in the Capitol on December 8th, 1941
P: The United States had not yet entered WWII. While claiming isolation and neutrality, we still aided certain countries by giving and lending certain supplies.
A: The American people
R: FDR and the government were addressing the problem at hand, letting the country know this was no misunderstanding. This was deliberate attack on our own terf.
T: This was more or less a rallying cry for Americans. Although declaring neutrality was originally what the US did, this attack was the spark that America needed to go head into the war.
S: By giving this speech, FDR rallied America. By the end of it, people were crying for war and for revenge. And with this, America plunged into WWII and became a manufacturing machine. Ultimately digging themselves out of a depression and into a world power.

7.

external image drug-war-propaganda.jpg

A: An unknown political artist
P: America was the place of publication, 1939
P: At this time World War II was in full swing, and the Nazi's had growing power.
A: American audience and anyone who would see the cartoon.
R: To spread awareness about the War and especially the power in Germany and their conquest over Europe.
T: Showing Germany's growing power and that they are still growing at an enormous rate!
S: This image is demonstrating the growing power of the Nazi's across the sea. Hitler had so much growing support, it was shocking to the American people and the rest of the World. Mostly because countries began to doubt their own strength in comparison to his!

8.
external image hal_mhc_am_arsenal_web_174329_7.jpg
A: Unknown photographer
P: Lansing's Oldsmobile Plant, taken in 1941.
P: World War II was in full swing, and the U.S had entered the war. Transforming her into a manufacturing machine.
A: Viewers of the picture, Americans.
R: In the years 1941-1942, many auto factories shut down the automobile production and switched to artillery manufacturing.
T: Not only is this showing factories being converted to artillery, but they show a women working on the weaponry. At this point in time, women had a bigger role in society. With all the men off fighting in the war, women had to step up and take the men's place in order to supply for the family.
S: This shows that during this time period, America was in full "manufacturing" mode, the women, the men, and the factories were all working together. And it was this cooperation that made America the dominating super power and the winner of World War II.

9.
external image buchenwald5.jpg
A: Taken by a photographer.
P: Buchenwald Concentration Camp, Germany, 1945
P:Happening during WWII, the Jews and other minorities in Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia were interned into these concentration camps in Germany.
A: Anyone viewing the photo. The World.
R: Gives the viewer an incite to what it was like to live through such a time. You look at the man standing, and you see his body and how skinny and deformed he has become. You look at the people laying in the bunks and see the faces of malnutrition and exhaustion.
T: Although spreading awareness to the rest of the world, the poeple in the photo do not look absolutely unhappy. The man standing and many in the bunks are happily smiling for the camera! It just shows that through the terrible and hell times, these people found some sort of hope. At least enough to give a smile to the camera man.
S: Shows the harsh reality of being in the concentration camps.Portraying where these men, women, and children slept during the years of intense labor and starvation.

10.
external image 0000018f.jpg
A: Taken by a photographer.
P: Iwo Jima, Japan, Feb.19 - March 26, 1945
P: WWII was drawing to a close, and Japan and America were battling over the Pacific.
A: Anyone who would view the picture. America and the World.
R: Was a sign to the American People and the rest of the World that America was victorious.
T: What turned out to be one of the bloodiest battles of WWII, became the platform America needed to become a respected world power.
S: Ultimetely this photo is showing the dedication and the suffering our soldiers were dealing with. It is taking at least 5 soldiers to hoist up the flag, and you see ruins all around them. It is a very heroic image that is iconic to American's today. As a reminder of the horrific situations they dealt with, and also signifying the end of World War II in the Pacific with Japan.


Credible Sites


1. http://ctah.binghamton.edu/ --> Here we found useful documents for our primary sources.
2.http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii --> This website helped us outline the chronology of World War II.
3.http://www.iwojima.com/ --> This was helpful in our APPART for the Battle of Iwo Jima
4. http://www.worldwar-2.net/famous-quotes/famous-quotes-index.htm --> This helped us find primary source quotes.
5.http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/ww2time.htm -->This helped with keeping dates straight.



FRQ'S
  1. Compare and contrast America's domestic response to World War II to its reaction to World War I.
  2. Analyze what factors led to an increase in prosperity during World War II.
  3. Explain your stance on America's decision to drop the atomic bomb on Japan.




Video Clips

1. The Income Tax

2. Donald Duck der Nazi